Al Ahli RSS feedhttps://www.fourfourtwo.com/al-ahli
enWatch: Al-Gharafa player misses absolute sitter – then goes down injuredWere not sure what was worse from Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi: the miss or his reaction to it?https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/watch-al-gharafa-player-misses-absolute-sitter-then-goes-down-injured
Al-Gharafa drew 1-1 with Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli in their Asian Champions League group stage fixture on Tuesday, and Taremi got on the scoresheet in the 56th minute for the visitors – who are now captained by Wesley Sneijder.However, Taremi had already blown an unbelievable opportunity to put the Qatari side ahead in the 18th minute.After skipping around the goalkeeper, and with just one defender on the goal-line, the Iran international fluffed his lines as he dragged his shot wide. And somehow, the pain of shame made its way to a lower part of his body too.Injured or otherwise, his team-mates probably weren'ttoo sympathetic...0:22for Taremi's missSee also...Mick McCarthy explains why he channelled inner Phil Brown and conducted on-pitch team talk Shakhtar's Facundo Ferreyra shoves ball boy over sponsor boards in Champions League exit In Other News...featureWed, 14 Mar 2018 16:35:00 +0000James Kilpatrick100009745 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comAFC Champions League Review: Shanghai SIPG seal progressionOscar and Hulk are set to feature in the AFC Champions League's last 16 after Shanghai SIPG confirmed their progression from Group F.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/afc-champions-league-review-shanghai-sipg-seal-progression
Shanghai SIPG became the second club through to the AFC Champions League knockout stages courtesy of a 1-0 win at Ulsan.
Brazil striker Hulk teed up compatriot Elkeson for the only goal in the 50th minute, securing the Chinese club a five-point lead in Group F and a place alongside Al Duhail in the last 16.
Defeat left second-placed Ulsan level on five points with Melbourne Victory, who had Kosta Barbarouses to thank for a dramatic late 1-0 victory over Kawasaki Frontale.
New Zealand international Barbarouses beat Jung Sung-ryong at his near post in the 90th minute to give the hosts a precious three points.
Shanghai SIPG lead Group F of the #ACL2018 by a massive points! pic.twitter.com/QvLZoa0aAm
— AFC Champions League (@TheAFCCL) March 13, 2018
In Qatar, Xavi scored the opening goal in a 4-0 rout of Nasaf Qarshi that saw Al Sadd keep pace with Persepolis.
Abdelkarim Hassan, Baghdad Bounedjah and Jugurtha Hamroun were also on target for the hosts, who are now top of Group C.
Persepolis appear well-placed to join them in the knockout rounds following a 1-0 win away to struggling Al Wasl, Kamal Kamyabinia heading the only goal in the 37th minute.
Kamyabinia's effort means Al Wasl, beaten in each of their first four matches, are now officially are out of the competition.
.@AlsaddSC and @fcperspolisir occupy the top two positions in #ACL2018 Group C after four games played! pic.twitter.com/9NIheG3yWJ
— AFC Champions League (@TheAFCCL) March 13, 2018
Kashima Antlers remain on course to progress despite being held to a 1-1 home draw by Sydney FC.
Matt Simon cancelled out Mu Kanazaki's first-half opener to earn the A-League champions just their second point, although Suwon Bluewings' 2-0 success at Shanghai Shenhua means Group H's top two is almost finalised.
Dejan Damjanovic and Choi Sung-kuen were both on target to give the Korean club a four-point buffer to third-placed Shanghai.
Meanwhile, in Group A, Tractor Sazi and Al Ahli drew 1-1 with Al Jazira and Al Gharafa respectively.
news_articleTue, 13 Mar 2018 21:12:14 +0000Anonymous100009497 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comAFC Champions League Review: Wins for Nasaf and PersepolisThere is nothing to choose between Nasaf, Al Sadd and Persepolis at the top of Group C in the AFC Champions League.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/afc-champions-league-review-wins-nasaf-and-persepolis
Nasaf handed Al Sadd their first defeat of the AFC Champions League campaign with a 1-0 win in Group C.
The Uzbek outfit scored decisively in the 62nd minute as Azizjon Ganiev held his nerve from the penalty spot after Salem Al Hajri failed to deal with a long ball forward and bundled Bobir Abdixolikov to the floor.
Three sides are now locked together on six points in the group, with Persepolis top on goal difference after dispatching whipping boys Al Wasl 2-0 at Azadi Stadium.
The goals came in the space of five first-half minutes – Ali Alipour winning and netting a 41st-minute penalty after Farshad Ahmadzadeh crashed into the roof of the net when captain Jalal Hosseini flicked Hossein Mahini's long throw in his direction.
The top teams in #ACL2018 Group C have points each after the latest round of matches! pic.twitter.com/knuNOOuKoZ
— AFC Champions League (@TheAFCCL) March 5, 2018
In Group A, a last-gasp equaliser from Robert Quijada earned a 1-1 draw for Al Gharafa at home to Al Ahli.
Aqeel Balghaith powered home a header to put the Saudi side in front from a well-worked short corner after the hour but Wesley Sneijder was on hand to pick out Quijada in stoppage time, with the defender clipping into the net when his initial attempt came back off the post.
Al Ahli remain three points clear with seven points from three matches, as Al Jazira and Tractor Sazi shared a goalless draw.
#ACL2018 Group A standings after the latest round of matches! pic.twitter.com/C5gPaECBsE
— AFC Champions League (@TheAFCCL) March 5, 2018
news_articleMon, 05 Mar 2018 19:11:52 +0000Anonymous100006985 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comWagner on target as Bayern thrash Al AhliBayern Munich turned on the style in the second half to beat Al Ahli 6-0, after Sandro Wagner had opened the scoring on his second debut.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/wagner-target-bayern-thrash-al-ahli
Sandro Wagner marked his return to Bayern Munich colours with a goal as the Bundesliga champions began 2018 with a 6-0 thrashing of Al Ahli in Doha.
The forward, who completed a move to the Allianz Arena from Hoffenheim on January 1 having left Bayern as a youngster 10 years ago, opened the scoring in the first half of Saturday's friendly.
Jupp Heynckes' men then ran in five further goals after the interval - Corentin Tolisso, Arjen Robben, Kingsley Coman, Niklas Dorsch and Niklas Sule all finding the net for a much-changed side.
Wagner had already gone close with one header before finding the bottom-right corner with another in the 38th minute.
WAGNER! A debut (sort of) goal for our new signing. Cracking header #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/rJ5pkwzGNf
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) January 6, 2018
Tolisso was the only member of the starting XI to be retained for the second half and he doubled Bayern's lead eight minutes after the break.
That opened the floodgates and Robben volleyed home a superb third from a Coman corner before the latter made it 4-0 with a fine finish of his own.
Dorsch was the next to breach Al Ahli's defence with 17 minutes remaining and Sule rounded off the scoring to conclude an enjoyable workout for Bayern.
A late sixth goal added, and that will do. #FCBayern beat @ahliqat 6-0! #MiaSanMia
#Wagner
@CorentinTolisso
@ArjenRobben
#Coman
#Dorsch
#Süle pic.twitter.com/mJLpkJZowg
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) January 6, 2018
news_articleSat, 06 Jan 2018 16:57:12 +0000Anonymous802028 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comWatch: Jordan FA Cup matches descends into farce as FIVE players are sent off in last 18 minutesEverything went a bit mental in the closing quarter of this feisty cup clashhttps://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/watch-jordan-fa-cup-matches-descends-farce-five-players-are-sent-last-18-minutes
In the 68th minute, Anas Al-Jbarat scored Al-Faisaly's second goal of the match as they were mounting a comeback from3-1 down.But it was his strike that also triggered the first three of five red cards in a ludicrous finale.Al-Faisaly's Mohammed Shishani and Ahli's Walid Ziad and Yazan Thalji were all sent off when a scuffle ensued after Al-Jbarat's goal hit the net.The matchtook an even more bizarre turn in the 87th minute as Al-Faisaly's Rwad Khizaran was shown a second yellow, havingscored a dramatic equaliser to level the tie at 3-3.Khizaran appearedto elbow Al Ahli's Obaida Al-Samarnehas he ran with the ball back to the halfway line. Al-Samarneh did appearto push Khizaran, though, so he was also sent down the tunnel.In a game filled with drama and controversy, nine-man Al-Faisaly completed their remarkable comeback with a headed goal in seventh minute of injury time, before the home fans spilledonto the pitch in jubilation.Enjoy the highlights below– not bad for a group stage match.In Other News...featureWed, 29 Nov 2017 16:48:05 +0000James Kilpatrick790172 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comWhat on earth was Al Arabi's goalkeeper doing here?Al Ahli SC were given a route back into their cup tie after Al Arabis net-minder went for a puzzling wanderhttps://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/what-earth-was-al-arabis-goalkeeper-doing-here
Al Arabi were leading 2-0 in their Qatari Stars League Cup matchuntil the 53rd minute... when it all went a bit wrong.By the 55th minute it was 2-2 after a quickfire brace fromKhalil Sharif – and his second goal came in ridiculous circumstances.After Cristian Nazarith'sfree-kick was drilled into the wall and out to the edge of the box, goalkeeper Muhannad Naim made the bonkers decision to rush out and try to clear the danger.ButNazarith got to the ball way before Naim could – unsurprisingly –and crossed in for Maknashahi to eventually apply a simple finish.There was still plenty of time for things to get worse for the hosts: Al Ahli went on to win3-2 through a Nazarithpenalty in the 87th minute.See also...Gennaro Gattuso says Andrea Pirlo made him think about changing professionEx-Belgium right-back Denis Dasoul dies after being struck by lightning while surfingIn Other News...featureWed, 08 Nov 2017 11:28:52 +0000James Kilpatrick783671 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comAFC Champions League Review: Guangzhou's stunning comeback ends on penaltiesShanghai SIPG reached the AFC Champions League semi-finals despite earlier losing their four-goal first-leg lead over Guangzhou Evergrande.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/afc-champions-league-review-guangzhous-stunning-comeback-ends-penalties
Guangzhou Evergrande suffered a heartbreaking 5-4 defeat on penalties to nine-man Chinese Super League rivals Shanghai SIPG after coming agonisingly close to a sensational AFC Champions League comeback win.
It appeared that Guangzhou, winners of the tournament in 2013 and 2015, faced an impossible task to progress after losing the away leg of their quarter-final tie 4-0 three weeks ago.
But they won Tuesday's return leg by the same margin and then emerged from an extra-time period that saw two Shanghai SIPG players see red with a 5-1 lead, forcing a shoot-out.
However, Andre Villas-Boas' men were able to survive and reach the last four, winning by a solitary spot-kick after Ricardo Goulart, who had earlier scored a hat-trick, hit the post with Guangzhou's first penalty.
That allowed Yu Hai to eventually score the clincher for Shanghai SIPG, whose only goal in the match itself was a magnificent Hulk free-kick.
FULL-TIME | Guangzhou Evergrande put up a very brave fight but it’s Shanghai SIPG who will be playing in the #ACL2017 semi-finals! #GUAvSHA pic.twitter.com/eXW0sqDaIF
— AFC Champions League (@TheAFCCL) September 12, 2017
Guangzhou's hopes of a dream comeback were launched when Alan netted twice in the first half to take his Champions League tally to seven for the campaign.
Shanghai SIPG thought they had weathered the storm when Goulart hit the crossbar in the second half and they still held a two-goal aggregate lead with seven minutes left.
But that was when the chaos truly began, as Goulart stunned the visitors with a quickfire double, his second – a header from Li Xuepeng's cross – coming in the first minute of stoppage time and sparking wild celebrations from Luiz Felipe Scolari and the home dugout.
Highlights from tonight's unforgettable #ACL2017 quarter-final between Guangzhou Evergrande and Shanghai SIPG... https://t.co/igP8oFf9qj
— AFC Champions League (@TheAFCCL) September 12, 2017
Guangzhou then became hot favourites to triumph when Shanghai SIPG substitute Wang Jiajie was sent off in the first period of extra time, receiving a second yellow for a rash foul on Alan.
But, on 110 minutes, Hulk netted a 30-yard free-kick for the shorthanded visitors to score in his eighth consecutive AFC Champions League appearance, part of a stunning continental campaign that has also seen him produce seven assists.
Guangzhou still fought back with two minutes left to go when Wang Shenchao saw red for Muriqui, allowing Goulart to strike from 12 yards.
Then it was penalties, where nine out of 10 spot-kicks found the target and Goulart, after his stunning performance in the match itself, was the unfortunate villain of the shoot-out, ending a tie that will live long in the memory.
Statistics from Guangzhou Evergrande vs Shanghai SIPG! #ACL2017 #GUAvSHA pic.twitter.com/QE0fgFBjYY
— AFC Champions League (@TheAFCCL) September 12, 2017
news_articleTue, 12 Sep 2017 15:42:31 +0000Anonymous764292 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comAFC Champions League Review: Hulk stars in Guangzhou thrashing, Persepolis fight back against Al-AhliAl-Ahli drew at Persepolis and Shanghai SIPG established a dominant first-leg lead in Tuesday's quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/afc-champions-league-review-hulk-stars-guangzhou-thrashing-persepolis-fight-back-against-al
Shanghai SIPG hammered Chinese Super League rivals Guangzhou Evergrande 4-0 in the first leg of the AFC Champions League quarter-finals, while Persepolis came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at home to Al-Ahli.
Hulk starred with a goal and two assists in Shanghai's rout of Guangzhou, who struggled without their star man Paulinho following the midfielder's €40million sale to Barcelona last week.
After dominating the opening stages of Tuesday's encounter, Shanghai made the breakthrough when they were awarded a penalty after 36 minutes, Zhang Linpeng having brought down striker Wu Lei in the box.
Hulk stepped up and hammered home a low strike to give the hosts the lead and score in his seventh successive AFC Champions League appearance for SIPG.
Shanghai extended their lead moments before half-time and Hulk was again involved, captain Wang Shenchao nodding in at the back post from a superb right-wing cross delivered by the Brazilian.
A third goal duly arrived after 62 minutes as Shanghai showed their dominance, Wu running on to a cute back-heeled pass from substitute Elkeson to hit a whipped 20-yard shot out of goalkeeper Zeng Cheng's reach.
All the goals from #ShanghaiSIPG 's 4-0 win over #GuangzhouEvergrande in the #ALC2017 quarter-final first-leg! https://t.co/wkvvUxIoHB
— AFC Champions League (@TheAFCCL) August 22, 2017
Shanghai's rout was completed just two minutes later, Hulk bursting clear after a Guangzhou corner was cleared to tee up Wu for a straightforward finish.
In the other quarter-final in Oman, visitors Al-Ahli took the lead in the second minute, Omar Al Soma volleying in the rebound after Persepolis goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand could only parry Saleh Al-Jamaan's 20-yard strike.
Al-Ahli doubled their advantage 13 minutes into the second half, Leonardo da Silva racing on to a delicious Saleh Al-Jamaan throughball to finish well from close range.
But two goals in the last 18 minutes saw the hosts draw level, with Shoja Khalilzadeh scoring before Godwin Mensha lashed home from the edge of the box to leave the tie poised ahead of next month's second legs.
FULL-TIME | Persepolis fight back from two goals down to salvage a draw against @ALAHLI_FC! #ACL2017 #PERvALH pic.twitter.com/nk81YYDZt9
— AFC Champions League (@TheAFCCL) August 22, 2017
news_articleTue, 22 Aug 2017 18:47:11 +0000Anonymous756622 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comAFC Champions League Review: Al Ain hit six against Esteghlal as Al-Ahli defeat Al-AhliAl-Ahli and Al Ain were the victors in Monday's AFC Champions League last-16 action.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/afc-champions-league-review-al-ain-hit-six-against-esteghlal-al-ahli-defeat-al-ahli
Al Ain thrashed Esteghlal 6-1 to overturn their first-leg deficit and reach the AFC Champions League quarter-finals with a 6-2 aggregate triumph.
Having lost the first leg in Iran, Al Ain – beaten finalists last season – did not look back after Caio's volley gave them the lead after 27 minutes, producing a supreme performance.
Caio struck again before half-time and two impressive finishes from Omar Abdulrahman as well as a strike from Lee Myung-joo had the side from United Arab Emirates five up on the night by the hour mark.
Nassir Al Shamrani made it six for Al Ain, with Kaveh Rezaei's late free-kick for Esteghlal the visitors' only resistance as they exited the competition.
Highlights | @alainfcae 6-1 #Esteghlal #ACL2017 #AINvEST https://t.co/uMSuKXACMB
— AFC Champions League (@TheAFCCL) May 29, 2017
In Monday's other game, two-time runners-up Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia defeated their namesakes Al-Ahli from the United Arab Emirates 3-1 in the second leg of their last-16 tie, sealing a 4-2 aggregate victory.
After the first encounter ended one apiece, Christian Gross' side seized control with two goals in the first 24 minutes, Taiseer Al Jassam's close-range strike followed up by Hussain Al-Mogahwi's impressive effort into the top corner.
Makhete Diop was sent off for the home side after receiving a second yellow card just before the hour mark, denting their hopes of a comeback.
.@ALAHLI_FC are through to the #ACL2017 quarter-finals after defeating @AlAhliClub 4-2 on aggregate! #AHLvALH pic.twitter.com/edqybv2a26
— AFC Champions League (@TheAFCCL) May 29, 2017
And Saad Abdulameer sealed the Saudis' progress with a penalty after Salman Muwashar had been brought down by home goalkeeper Majed Naser.
Asamoah Gyan scored a stoppage-time spot-kick for the trailing Emirati side, but it was far too little, too late.
news_articleMon, 29 May 2017 22:21:31 +0000Anonymous727716 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comAFC Champions League Review: Esteghlal prevail in ill-tempered finale, Al-Ahli draw with Al-AhliEsteghlal left it late to claim a 1-0 first-leg win over Al Ain in the AFC Champions League, while Al-Ahli and Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai drew.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/afc-champions-league-review-esteghlal-prevail-ill-tempered-finale-al-ahli-draw-al-ahli
A stoppage-time penalty from Kaveh Rezaei gave Iranian hosts Esteghlal a 1-0 advantage over Al Ain as both sides finished the first leg of their AFC Champions League last-16 tie with 10 men.
An uneventful contest began to unravel in the 77th minute when the visitors from the UAE had Saeed Juma dismissed for a two-footed tackle on Mohsen Karimi.
Esteghlal's numerical advantage was short-lived when Farshid Esmaeili retaliated to a challenge from Al Ain winger Caio.
But Alireza Mansourian's men were able to take an advantage into the return leg after Mohammed Ahmed handled in the box when he misjudged a clearance and Rezaei sent goalkeeper Khalid Eisa the wrong way.
Highlights| Esteghlal 1-0 @alainfcae |#ACL2017 #ESTvAINhttps://t.co/CaNNipgoVy
— AFC Champions League (@TheAFCCL) May 22, 2017
Two-time runners-up Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia played out a 1-1 draw at home to their namesakes Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai.
The away side went ahead through Khamis Esmaeel after Yasser Al-Mosailem punched poorly from a 20th-minute free-kick, although Abdulfattah Asiri latched on to Mohamed Shafy's pass to level seven minutes before half-time.
Abdulafttah Asiri equalises for @ALAHLI_FC with a great finish! #ACL2017 #ALHvAHL https://t.co/LdxaeoCKec
— AFC Champions League (@TheAFCCL) May 22, 2017
news_articleMon, 22 May 2017 21:07:43 +0000Anonymous725203 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comDubai ruler orders merger for three clubs without actually telling themWave goodbye to Al-Ahli, Al Shabab and newly promoted Dubai Club, and say hello to... erm, Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/dubai-ruler-orders-merger-three-clubs-without-actually-telling-them
Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has issued a decree ordering the merger of three Dubai clubs.
The news came as a shock to all three clubs, whoonly the night beforewere all involved in the draw for the UAE Pro League ahead of the 2017/18 season which kicks off later this year.
Sheikh Mohammed said that the decision was made to develop a club that can compete well regionally and globally. A provisional logo and strip have already been drawn up.
One of the three clubs, Al Shabab, had called a press conference to announce new manager Miroslav Djukic before it was quickly aborted in light of the drastic changes.
With Al-Ahli still involved in the Asian Champions League and a whole new squad needing to be produced, it is possible that the 2017/18 season campaign may now start with 12 clubs instead of 14. This may mean a possible return to the league for relegated clubs Baniyas and Kalba.
Or, in what would be a hugely beneficial move for Diego Maradona, there may be a play-off match involving the Argentine legend's new club Fujairah FC, who currently play in the region's second tier.
David Brooks withdraws from Wales squad, gets call-up for England within 11 minutes
Two kids pull off unintimidating pitch invasion during Eredivisie match
​In Other News... on FourFourTwo.com
news_articleWed, 17 May 2017 09:34:14 +0000James Kilpatrick722885 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comAFC Champions League Review: Scolari guides Guangzhou throughAnother four groups were settled in the AFC Champions League on Tuesday, with Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao among those to progress.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/afc-champions-league-review-scolari-guides-guangzhou-through
Luis Felipe Scolari's Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao narrowly progressed to the last 16 of the AFC Champions League on Tuesday.
The Chinese Super League side, who have won the competition twice, drew four of their six group games, including their final outing against the Suwon Bluewings, but that proved enough.
Guangzhou were not the only former champions to book a spot in the knockout phase, with Esteghlal Tehran also going through.
The line-up for the next round will be completed on Wednesday.
GOULART AT THE DOUBLE FOR DRAW SPECIALISTS
Guangzhou, who last took the title in 2015, and Kawasaki Frontale made it through after a tense final round of matches in Group G.
Scolari's side had led the way ahead of Tuesday's games and Ricardo Goulart's double, which earned a 2-2 draw against the Bluewings, was enough to send them through in second.
It was the Bluewings who missed out after Kawasaki thrashed the group's whipping boys Eastern 4-0 to go top.
Jiangsu Suning rounded of an impressive Group H campaign with a 1-0 win over Adelaide United, Ji Xiang with the decisive strike.
The Chinese side's only loss en route to topping the pool came against Jeju United, who wrapped up second place with a 2-0 victory against Gamba Osaka.
Congratulations to @AlAhliClub and Esteghlal FC for booking their spots in the #ACL2017 Round of 16! pic.twitter.com/fD1U4lg4Gn
— AFC Champions League (@TheAFCCL) May 9, 2017
PHOTO FINISH IN GROUP A
Esteghlal Khouzestan's 1-1 draw with winless Al Jazira, secured by Mehdi Zobeidi's 86th-minute goal, saw them take the runner-up berth in Group B, which was won comfortably by Lekhwiya following their 4-1 thrashing of Al-Fateh.
Group A concluded with Al Ahli Dubai and Esteghlal Tehran sharing identical records, with the United Arab Emirates side edging into first spot courtesy of a superior head-to-head record.
The Dubai club were 4-0 winners over Lokomotiv Tashkent, Asamoah Gyan among the scorers, while the Iranian outfit won 2-1 at Al-Tawoon.
news_articleTue, 09 May 2017 18:34:44 +0000Anonymous720239 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comAFC Champions League Review: Al Hilal edge thriller to earn top spotAl Hilal's dramatic victory at Al Rayyan was the pick of the matches but Omar Abdulrahman and Mehdi Taremi also starred on Monday.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/afc-champions-league-review-al-hilal-edge-thriller-earn-top-spot
Al Hilal came from behind to beat Al Rayyan 4-3 away from home and secure top spot in AFC Champions League Group D, as Persepolis saw off Al Wahda to join them in advancing to the round of 16.
Mehdi Taremi's hat-trick for the Iranian heavyweights saw him become this season's leading scorer with six strikes.
In the other matches on Monday, Al Ain dispatched Bunyodkor 3-0 at home to secure first place in Group C. Al Ahli took second spot courtesy of a 2-0 home win over Zob Ahan.
Omar Abdulrahman stole the show for Al Ain, setting up two of his team's goals either side of a brilliantly taken free-kick.
MILESI AND KHRIBIN DOUBLES SETTLE THRILLER
Al Rayyan's fate was in their own hands ahead of the final matchday but they trailed going into the break in Doha, Nicolas Milesi lifting the ball expertly into an unguarded net in the 40th minute after Oumar Barry had saved Nawaf Al Abid's initial effort.
Weak goalkeeping at the near post from Abdullah Al Maiouf allowed Sebastian Soria to equalise 10 minutes into the second half and they went in front four minutes later, Rodrigo Tabata's brilliant long-range effort leaving the visitors' shot-stopper helpless.
Barry kept out Milesi's initial header but proved unable to stop Khribin from stroking home the rebound to level in the 66th minute. He returned the favour seven minutes later, teeing up Milesi for a brilliant strike on the edge of the area to make it 3-2 to Al Hilal.
Sergio Garcia briefly restored some hope for Al Rayyan with a low drive in the 82nd minute, but it took just two minutes for Khribin to restore Al Hilal's buffer following a corner.
FULL TIME! @AlrayyanSC 3-4 @Alhilal_FC | The Saudi side top Group D after an incredible victory in Doha! #ACL2017 #RAYvHIL pic.twitter.com/O9iPFtVsac
— AFC Champions League (@TheAFCCL) May 8, 2017
A stunning Ahmed Al Akberi goal helped Al Wahda come from 2-0 to get back on level terms at away to Persepolis, who had Taremi's clinical treble to thank for earning the 4-2 victory that sealed second behind the Saudi Arabian champions.
ABDULRAHMAN FIRES AL AIN INTO TOP SPOT
Abdulrahman's free-kick was the pick of the goals for last year's beaten finalists Al Ain as they cruised to a 3-0 win at home to Bunyodkor.
The United Arab Emirates star had kicked things off by slipping in Nasser Al Shamrani for the hosts' opener in the 34th minute and he also worked a brilliant short corner routine to set up Diaky Ibrahim for the third in the 91st minute at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.
. @alainfcae secure top spot in Group C with a 3-0 win over @fcbunyodkorcom ! #ACL2017 #AINvBUN pic.twitter.com/2pPw4na4XU
— AFC Champions League (@TheAFCCL) May 8, 2017
Al Ahli, meanwhile, were comfortable 2-0 winners at home to Zob Ahan, Abdulfattah Asiri breaking the deadlock in the 63rd minute and Amiri Kurdi doubling that lead in the 84th to make sure of the points that saw Christian Gross’ side progress in second spot.
news_articleMon, 08 May 2017 20:06:02 +0000Anonymous719944 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comAFC Champions League Review: Paulinho at the double in Guangzhou Evergrande routGuangzhou Evergrande hit Eastern for six in the AFC Champions League, thanks to a big contribution from Paulinho.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/afc-champions-league-review-paulinho-double-guangzhou-evergrande-rout
Paulinho scored twice as Guangzhou Evergrande surged to the top of AFC Champions League Group G with a thumping 6-0 win over Eastern.
The Chinese Super League side had drawn their last three group games, but returned to winning ways in style as former Tottenham midfielder Paulinho and fellow Brazilian Alan each netted doubles.
Joshua Mitchell put through his own net, Yu Hanchao completing the rout in stoppage time.
Guangzhou top Group G after Suwon Bluewings lost 1-0 to Kawasaki Frontale, but none of the top three - who are separated by just two points - are sure of a place in the last 16. Guangzhou face Suwon in their final group stage clash, while third-placed Kawasaki have the advantage of facing Eastern, who have just one point from five games.
Another huge victory for Guangzhou Evergrande! #ACL2017 #EASvGUA pic.twitter.com/8tERmBLWRf
— AFC Champions League (@TheAFCCL) April 25, 2017
It is as you were in Group A, which saw Marat Bikmoev's hat-trick count for nothing more than point in a 4-4 draw with Al Taawon, who snatched a point thanks to Ricardo Machado's 91st-minute goal, the Portuguese defender atoning for his earlier missed penalty.
Al Ahli and Esteghlal remain level at the top on eight points following a 1-1 stalemate, Al Taawon and Lokomotiv are three points behind but both with inferior goal differences.
Adelaide United salvaged a point as Baba Diawara scored an injury-time equaliser in a 3-3 draw with Gamba Osaka, who paid the price for Yasuhito Endo's missed penalty.
However, the A-League side are now two points behind second-placed Jeju United - 2-1 winners at Group H leaders Jiangsu Suning.
Congratulations to @Lekhwiyaclub for qualifying for the #ACL2017 Round of 16! pic.twitter.com/yYc82bO6BC
— AFC Champions League (@TheAFCCL) April 25, 2017
Lekhwiya secured their place in the knockout rounds with a 3-1 victory at 10-man Al Jazira, Fares Juma sent off for the hosts as Nam Tae-Hee scored a brace for the Qatari club.
The other game in Group B saw Esteghlal Khuzestan draw 1-1 at Al Fateh. Ali Al Zaqan looked to have given Al Fateh the points in the 85th minute, only for Salman Bahrani to seal a share of the spoils for the Iranian side.
Second-placed Esteghlal Khuzestan are two points ahead of Al Fateh and face Al Jazira, who have just one point to their name in a disappointing campaign, in the final group game next month.
news_articleTue, 25 Apr 2017 19:35:01 +0000Anonymous715358 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comAFC Champions League Review: Al Ain beat Zob Ahan, Al Hilal progressAl Ain took a big step toward the knockout stages in Group C, while Al Hilal became the first team to book their ticket for the next round.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/afc-champions-league-review-al-ain-beat-zob-ahan-al-hilal-progress
Al Ain beat Zob Ahan 3-0 at the Foolad Shahr Stadium to go top of AFC Champions League Group C with one game to go.
Danilo Asprilla opened the scoring halfway through the first half after being set up by Caio, before Jerry Bengtson missed a gilt-edged chance to level the scoring when he aimed a penalty straight at goalkeeper Khalid Eisa in the dying seconds of the first half.
The Honduras international's miss proved to be costly as Omar Abdulrahman doubled Al Ain's lead on the hour mark, with Mohammed Abdulrahman putting the match to bed in the 81st minute.
In the second Group C encounter, Al Ahli would have reached the round of 16 with a win over Bunyodkor, but the Saudi Arabians were surprisingly beaten 2-0.
Akramjon Komilov opened the scoring after just eight minutes, with Eldor Shomurodov making it two after the break to seal the win.
Monday's results leave Al Ain top of the table heading into the final matchday, with Al Ahli and Zob Ahan still very much in contention as well.
Just two points separate the top three teams in Group C! #ACL2017 pic.twitter.com/L75LdjUArS
— AFC Champions League (@TheAFCCL) April 24, 2017
In Group D, Al Hilal held Persepolis to a scoreless draw at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex to become the first team to qualify for the round of 16.
Both teams had a number of chances to break the deadlock, but inspired performances from the two goalkeepers saw the game end goalless as Al Hilal booked their ticket for the next round.
Elsewhere, Al Rayyan missed out on the chance to qualify for the knockout stages as well, as they were hammered 5-1 by Al Wahda at Al Nahyan Stadium.
Michael Laudrup's men got off to a good start when Sergio Garcia handed them the lead in the 21st minute after some good work from Rodrigo Tabata, but Al Wahda turned things around before the break, Ahmed Al Akberi and Sebastian Tagliabue finding the net.
And the home side marched on after the interval as Salem Sultan, Tagliabue and Khalil Ibrahim struck in the second half for their first win of the group stages.
Al Rayyan remain second in their section with seven points from five games, one point clear of third-placed Persepolis, with Al Wahda occupying fourth place on four points heading into the final matchday.
Here's how Group D stands after five rounds of matches! Who will join @Alhilal_FC in the Round of 16? #ACL2017 pic.twitter.com/u8h3tfFH4Y
— AFC Champions League (@TheAFCCL) April 24, 2017
news_articleMon, 24 Apr 2017 18:38:53 +0000Anonymous714994 at https://www.fourfourtwo.com